Mark your calendars

Here are two summer events to pencil in...

Sunday July 25, 4-6 pm - at the JCC - Backyard Family BBQ and Games
--your favorites on the grill plus activites for the kids
--$7 per adult, $4 per child

Monday August 30, 10:30 am - Viva Vienna - A Morning of Music and More
--A performance by the Great Zucchini at Jammin' Java, 227 Maple Avenue, Vienna (at our older son's favorite place to be on Wednesday mornings)
--afterwards, we'll head to Vienna Park on Cherry Street for a picnic lunch and playtime
--$5 per person

I'll post more details as they are available.

Play Dates at the JCC

Hot off the presses from the new issue of Centertainment... Play dates for kids - while parents can socialize, too - on May 23, June 20, July 18, and August 22 from 10 am to noon. I'll try to post a reminder before each one, also.

Honoring your parents

In this time between Mother's and Father's Days, I have been thinking about how we should behave to our parents. Honor your father and your mother; fear your mother and your father, the Torah tells us. However, what that means isn't always that clear. Now that my older son is almost three, it's clear that he learns how to behave from us, so we must model the behavior we wish to see. Some ways to manifest this honor include not to sit in your parents' chairs and not to contradict them in public. I was at a meeting of relatively new moms recently and we were asked what we did to make our lives easier before having kids. One mom responded that she and her husband sat down with their parents and said that they were going to make their own decisions and choices and please not to offer their opinions. Well, this wasn't actually contradicting them in public, though that's not that far off from what they were doing - or perhaps one could be generous say they were trying to avoid doing that.

I thought long and hard about this. It seems to me that while we're not obligated to do exactly what our parents tell us - there have certainly been a number of advances and changes and we're entitled to make decisions about our own children - it seems to me that disregarding completely everything that our parents can offer is not only mean, but also ridiculous. There are lots of tidbits that we may find useful, even if some are not things we'd like to try. I hope that my parents and in-laws realize that I do appreciate their ideas and also that they aren't hurt if we don't follow through. We should all remember to thank our parents, even for unsolicited suggestions, and make sure our children know how much we appreciate their grandparents.

Celebrate Fairfax

It's not quite a county fair - in fact, I don't recall ever seeing cows or pie contests - but Celebrate Fairfax is still fun. It runs from June 11-13 and there are plenty of kids' events, as well as kid-friendly events (like the laser show and train show inside the Government Center). The web site has information about parking, shuttles, hours, and tickets.

Summer activities?

OK, readers, it's your turn to help me! I know that there are a lot of Jewish summer camps available, but with few holidays - most of them somber - until Rosh Hashanah, what do you do to keep your kids in touch with all things Jewish? Honestly, with a newborn, just lighting Shabbat candles without having the older son knock them over seems like an accomplishment. But I'm wondering what others do over the summer... Please let me know your ideas.

Mommy & Me at Chabad

There are only 2 sessions left of the Mommy & Me program at Chabad - May 27 and June 3. The program is suited for children from birth to 3 years and is held on Thursday mornings from 9:15 to 10:15 at the Gan Israel Preschool (3939 Prince William Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031). The fee is $6 per class. For more information, call 703-426-1980 or email.

A Morning at "Spa J"

And speaking about moms...Take time out of your busy day to relax at the "J" on Sunday June 6 at 9:30 am. If you are a mom on the go, treat yourself to some relaxation and pampering. From skincare and hairstyle trends to makeup tips and other relaxing activities, you won't want to miss this morning just for you. Hair, makeup, skin care and nail specialists will be available to provide mini-makeovers, suggest color or style alternatives based on your face shape and coloring, and show you how to look your best in the short time you have to get yourself out of the house in the morning. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP by Monday, May 31 to 703-323-0880 or drop the form off at the JCCNV. Online registration should be available soon. Cost: $18 per person